Three heroic young cops have told how they rescued two elderly people after their residential home caught fire in Sydney. (Nine)
Three heroic young cops have told how they rescued two elderly people after their residential home caught fire in Sydney.
Chatswood Probationary Constable Amelia Heafey, 25, is only six months into the job but put her life at risk when the fire broke out at the Uniting retirement village in Lindfield, northern Sydney at 7.30pm last night.
Thick smoke pouring from the bottom floor made it difficult for residents to escape.
She heard blind resident, Peter Goldman, 99, shout for help from his second floor bathroom after getting the call-out alongside fire crews, and helped bring him out on a stretcher.
"This was definitely my first fire and my first really big job, I was so lucky I had two very experienced officers next to me that were able to take the lead," she said.
"I luckily heard this man faintly yell out 'help me, someone get me out.'"
Partner, Constable Chris Abela, 24, and Senior Constable Ben O'Brien, 30, also put their lives on the line to help.
"We didn't do anything special that any other human being would have done in this situation," Senior Constable O'Brien said.
"If it wasn't for Amelia listening out for that and observing everything that was going on that resident may have suffered fatal injuries."
Resident Ken McKinnon went in first with a fire extinguisher and tried to get everyone out.
"It was like an inferno. It was glowing hot," he said.
Gary Marshall, 82, who has terminal lung cancer, was also trapped on his balcony before being rescued by ladder.
"I was watching TV, suddenly the alarm went off on the ceiling. Smoke everywhere. Next thing I go out my kitchen door – I couldn't see an inch in front of me," he said.
"I darted out to the back veranda so I could breathe. I saw a guy come through form the fire brigade with a big mask on- he said are you okay? I said 'yes'. They were lucky to get me down."
Mr Goldman was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, alongside the police offices, who were all treated for smoke inhalation.
Commissioner Mick Fuller from NSW Police praised the officers' efforts.
It appears an electrical fault caused by a power cut may be to blame for the fire.
It's believed the kitchen bench was being used for storage, which meant the fire spread quickly.
Residents of the 17 units have been sent to a nearby hotel.
Partner, Constable Chris Abela, 24, and Senior Constable Ben O'Brien, 30, also put their lives on the line to help. (Nine)
The fire broke out at the Uniting retirement village in Lindfield, northern Sydney at 7.30pm last night. (Nine)
Damage inside the Uniting retirement village in Lindfield. (Nine)
Commissioner Mick Fuller from NSW Police praised the officers' efforts after the blaze. (Nine)
Mr Marshall has terminal lung cancer and was trapped on his balcony. (Nine)
Two elderly residents of a Sydney apartment block have been rescued by police after a fire broke out in their building. (Nine)